| Author |
Message |
    
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 6977
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 10:24 am: | 
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It's suddenly getting really bad. I've read all the websites, etc. What do folks actually do to deal? Tricks you've found to relieve it? I try to be concious of my posture at work (a constant battle) and by the time I leave, holding the steering wheel can be painful. Any tips for me?
Also, what kind of doc has anyone seen about this?
Gardening season is upon us and I will not miss that! |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 1251
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 10:38 am: |
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My issues are minor (and I don't have a Blackberry), but I do a VERY firm massage of the muscles of my forearm (if you wiggle you index & middles fingers you will see muscles wiggle in your arm) & where I feel pain in the thumb side of heel/middle of my palm. This seems to help. I sometime rub on arnica.
I have, at some points, seen a chiro but feel I can pretty much make the adjustment she does to my wrists at this point.
I try to be careful of how I sleep (I think I twist my hand in a weird way, which is common) & have very occasionally worn a thing to keep my wrist straight at night.
That's about it...though I'm sure the occasional margarita helps too!
Good luck - |
las
Citizen
Username: Las
Post Number: 1311
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 11:34 am: |
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Greenetree, I get some excellent stretching at yoga class - she stretches me from the shoulders and I can feel the muscles release in my palms like snapping rubber bands. It is an amazing sensation to go into work pain free the next day. |
BGS
Citizen
Username: Bgs
Post Number: 796
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 12:07 pm: |
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GT- I have had carpal tunnel in both hands and had surgery 15 years ago and have never had another problem...recovery time, about 3 weeks... the deal is to go to someone who specializes hands...PL me if you want more info.
BGS |
Earlster
Supporter
Username: Earlster
Post Number: 1485
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 12:19 pm: |
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I never had it as bad as you describe, but it's completely gone since I fixed my posture at work, started using an ergonomic keyboard and a mouse pad with a wrist rest.
Laptop keyboards are a killer if you have it. If you are using one, make sure that you get an external keyboard for you office and you desk at home. |
fiche
Citizen
Username: Fiche
Post Number: 97
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 2:05 pm: |
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Gelpad type wrist rests are very helpful. The mouse kills me, so I use keystrokes for almost everything (saving, printing, copying, etc).
I sleep with wrist guards every night. When it is really bad, I also use them for driving, but you have to be careful not to strain the wrist against the guard.
Resting the wrist is essential. Try to stop when you start to feel the pain. Don't keep working through the pain, you will actually cause damage to your nerve. I have found that ice packs help.
Some people recommend vitamin E. I never noticed a difference, but it might be worth a try.
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Mergele
Citizen
Username: Mergele
Post Number: 370
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 2:41 pm: |
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Sleeping with wrist braces saved me from surgery. |
fiche
Citizen
Username: Fiche
Post Number: 98
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 6:19 pm: |
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Oops, I meant vitamin B |
D-man
Citizen
Username: Darrensager
Post Number: 357
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 6:20 pm: |
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I agree with Mergele since that saved me from surgery as well.
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BGS
Citizen
Username: Bgs
Post Number: 801
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 6:34 pm: |
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Just aa FWIW...I did wrist guards, PT, splints, vitamins,electro something therapy...everything that you can imagine to avoid surgery...at the time I had two small children...they needed me...when nothing else worked, I had the surgery.
All gone....pain free!!!
:-) B |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 6999
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 6:49 pm: |
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I will start with the splints. They haven't helped much so far, but that may be because they haven't made it out of the medicine cabinet and onto my wrists yet. |
doctoralissa
Citizen
Username: Doctoralissa
Post Number: 184
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 7:10 pm: |
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I had it really bad when I was preggers. Solution: have the baby. Worked like a charm. Probably not useful advice in this situation tho. My doctor was ok, PL me if you want a name, I'll look it up.
Feel better!
Alissa |
WendyP
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 3334
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 7:20 pm: |
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Um yeah, the splints actually have to be worn to do any good! 
I had carpal tunnel--probably a minor case--and also had success with the splints.
Since you're having trouble with the steering wheel, maybe you keep it in the car and put it on when you get in for the drive home. |
fiche
Citizen
Username: Fiche
Post Number: 99
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 10:26 pm: |
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Also should mention avoid salt. Most likely it is worse when you menstruate because you are retaining water. I use a water pill at that time.
I have to say, if you don't have success with home remedies, surgery is really not a bad option.
I also really want to repeat, take a break when the pain comes, even if it is just for a few minutes at a time.
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darrenso
Citizen
Username: Darrenso
Post Number: 24
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 10:59 am: |
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I found this ergonomic mouse to be very helpful:
http://www.3m.com/us/office/myworkspace/mos_ergo.jhtml
Takes about a week to get used to, and you may have to change some of your mouse speed settings on the computer. |
mtierney
Citizen
Username: Mtierney
Post Number: 915
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 11:08 am: |
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I've had carpel tunnel for 15 years or more. Doctors suggested surgery, but I always opted out. The condition comes and goes, depending on particular "abuse". Two weeks ago I had trouble after trying to open a safety cap on a large bottle of bleach! A few days using a splint and things are OK now.
Repetitive motions, i.e. typing, digging in the garden, writing long-hand, all are triggers for my problem.
I use wrist-rests at a full size keyboard and mouse pads. Also I found proper posture and a foot rest while typing works.
Recently when thinking about purchasing an Apple laptop, I decided against it primarily after seeing how cramped by hands would be and how elevating my wrists to accommodate the narrow keyboard would be deadly.
Come digging time, I hope I start out using the wrist splint instead of waiting for the pain! |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 7012
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 11:14 am: |
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I slept with the splint on last night and have it on now (right wrist). God has a sense of humor; my left is killing me.
I found 3 splints last night: two righties and one ambi, but the support thingy is missing from the ambi. Figures.
BTW - the security guard informed me this morning that there is no such thing as carpal tunnel. Interesting theory. Maybe I'm not really in pain? |
mjc
Citizen
Username: Mjc
Post Number: 1063
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 2:14 pm: |
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Splints overnight, esp. if you tend to sleep with bent wrists, and be sure to hold your wrist straight whenever it's under stress (lifting, turning, gripping, steering, whatever).
If you can't find serious or well-fitting splints OTC, go to an orthopedist, physiatrist, or occupational therapist and have them made to fit.
Unlike doctoralissa, I had it AFTER the baby came. This was 20 years ago, and so far so good, except for those times every few years when I decide it's OK to push up out of a swimming pool.
Feel better! |
Amateur Night
Citizen
Username: Deborahg
Post Number: 1789
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 2:05 pm: |
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Splints overnight saved me from surgery. I've got it severely in both writsts (legacy of 20 years in journalism) and it isprogressing -- I am bumble-fingered, drop things, have lower-than-normal hand strength. But no pain anymore. |
C Bataille
Citizen
Username: Nakaille
Post Number: 2505
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 3:38 pm: |
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I had the surgery last year. Not only no pain, but full functionality! Dr. Carl Quillen, hand specialist and plastic surgeon here in Maplewood. Followed by 3 months of serious OT at Associated Hand Therapies in Union. |
BGS
Citizen
Username: Bgs
Post Number: 811
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 4:11 pm: |
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C Bataille-I was really lucky-I had the surgery and did not have to have any PT afterwards....as soon as the incisions healed I was good as new. Am glad that your surgery was sucessful too!
Ciao!
BGS |
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